That’s the message that pro-development-or-bust state lawmakers gave recently when they caved to local homebuilder and development lobbyists who oppose simple building code changes that could reduce toxic emissions.
At the behest of Envision Utah, the state’s Division of Air Quality Board recently recommended requiring all new water heaters bought in the state after 2017 to be “low NOx,” a design that emits 30% less NOx pollutant than old water heaters and costs approximately the same.
But the state legislative committee, led by Taz Biesinger of the Utah Homebuilders Association, opposed the code updates.
The issue can be taken up again. HEAL Utah and other environmental organizations concerned about clean air in Utah are asking concerned citizens to help raise a stink and let the legislature know we want better air and better building codes.
Learn more: HealUtah.org